Microsoft dumps Windows Phone update site

Leaves transparency to carriers.

Microsoft has copped a battering after deciding to no longer publicly share with Windows Phone users when firmware updates are available for their handsets.

The decision backtracked on a commitment made less than a year ago to surface the information on the 'Where's my phone update?' website.

At the time, Windows Phone users had been seeking a firmware update that enabled 'copy and paste' functionality on the handset.

The website had been intended to quell "disappointment" and "anger" among users over when they would receive the update.

"Much like when you buy a PC online, you'll be able to see when the update is being tested and packaged, when it's about to ship, and when it's "left the warehouse." We'll update the site once a week with the latest status changes," Microsoft said at the time.

However, the site will no longer be updated, according to a new blog post by Windows Phone customer experience engineering general manager Eric Hautala.

In addition, Hautala said it would be in the hands of individual mobile carriers to "request" future firmware updates from Microsoft.

"In the months ahead, we'll continue to send out firmware and maintenance updates as needed," Hautala said.

"These will be available across the globe—although not everybody will receive or require them. It depends on your country, carrier, and phone model."

Users would be notified of firmware updates via their handsets but no longer had a way to check up on approximately when they should receive a firmware update independently of when their carrier was ready to roll it out.

The backtrack was derided by hundreds of users on the blog, including by customers whose carriers were allegedly not keeping pace with Microsoft's firmware update schedule already.